The Ocean’s Trilogy (4K UHD Blu-ray Collection Review)
Heist films can be hit or miss from time to time. In 2001, when Ocean’s Eleven was released, it was something of a new renaissance for that particular genre. The con was on, and what a fantastic one it was. Followed by two solid sequels, The Oceans Trilogy has also had a long legacy on physical media. Out now in 4K, all 3 films come packaged together or individually in Steelbook form. Relive the iconic series below and be sure to check out the video and audio sections for more details! You can click the cover artwork at the end to order whatever variations you may want!
About The Films:
Ocean’s 11 (2001)
Danny Ocean (George Clooney) likes taking chances. All he asks is that his handpicked squad of ten grifters and cons play the game like they have nothing to lose. If all goes right, the payoff will be a fat $150 million.
Ocean’s 12 (2004)
They’re back. And then some. Twelve is the new eleven when Danny Ocean and pals return in a sequel to the cool caper that saw them pull off a $150 million heist. But $150 million doesn’t go as far as it used to. It’s time to pull off another stunner of a plan. Exciting locations include Amsterdam, Paris, and Rome.
Ocean’s 13 (2007)
Danny Ocean rounds up the boys for the most dazzling heist yet, after casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) double-crosses one of the eleven, Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould).
The thing about The Oceans films is that they literally reek of coolness. Every main character, good or bad, has swag and something so commanding to them. Yes, we have George, Brad, Julia, Elliott, Bernie, Don, Carl, Matt, and Andy, and they all play so well among an incredibly versatile supporting cast. Editing and music are second to none, and the storyline of each film is different from the one before it. There is a distinction in each installment: one in Vegas, one that goes international, and then they round back to Vegas, with a huge double cross to close things up in a tidy and satisfying way.
There’s no denying that the success of the films comes from having a different writer for each installment, but also the signature style of Steven Soderbergh. He makes films that feel like something out of another time. The 70’s feel is something that makes the films sumptuous and soulful. There’s a warmth to each film, even when the style changes wildly between Eleven and Twelve. There is such a nice, easy, and casual flow to the films, even if the plot gets complicated, we are all along for each ride.
As a film reviewer, you’re often given a chance to see films that are challenging or complicated. You see films that are silly or funny. You see others that are captivating or exciting. You may even see your fair share of BS too. The Oceans Trilogy and even Oceans 8 all have a charm to them, and even when things get less interesting by Thirteen, you still feel satisfied after each film. That for me is something rare. These are films to treasure, just like the things the crew heists in each installment.
Video
Stills are for promotional use only and not from the 4K UHD Blu-ray
Encoding: HEVC/H.265
Resolution: 4K
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
HDR: HDR10
Layers: BD-100 (3 Discs in set)
Details: The 4K remasters of Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen were completed at Warner Bros. Discovery’s Motion Picture Imaging (MPI) with the participation of Soderbergh. The restored 5.1 digital audio mix was overseen by original re-recording sound mixer and sound editor Larry Blake.
Depth: Each film has a look like films from other eras. There are moments of intentional soft focus, where other moments are sharp and super crisp. Depth of field is handled beautifully throughout.
Color Reproduction: HDR10 helps the reds, blues, greens, and other primary colors look lifelike and clean, with nothing looking awry in any installment.
Black Levels: No blacks crush in any Oceans film. Each film has nice dark blacks that keep shadow detail intact with no aliasing.
Flesh Tones: The look of every actor is natural and lovingly recreated at a higher resolution.
Noise/Artifacts: None
Audio
Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD MA 5.1 (all films), French, Japanese, German, Italian, Spanish, Czech
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, German, Czech, Japanese, Italian, Mandarin, Finnish, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian
Dynamics: Each Ocean’s film is given a lossless audio upgrade, giving new life to the films. The trilogy was last released at the dawn of Blu-ray with a lossy soundtrack for each film. Dynamics are now fully in line with detail and breathing room for the sound to expand in the channels.
Height: N/A
Low-Frequency Extension: Music and one instance of explosion give the subwoofer something to do, but the films by nature are subdued in this department, so that’s to be expected.
Surround Sound Presentation: Casino noise, foreign location noise, outdoor ambience and light sounds from quieter indoor spaces spend much of the runtime of each film here. Sometimes music travels into the surrounds, but that just depends on the scene or the film.
Dialogue Reproduction: Mostly center staged with nothing unintelligible.
Extras
The Ocean’s trilogy Ultra HD Blu-ray discs and Digital contains the following previously released special features:
Ocean’s Eleven
- Commentary by Steven Soderbergh and Ted Griffin
- Commentary by Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Andy Garcia
- Are You In or Out? The Making of Ocean’s Eleven
- Pros & Cons: Inside Ocean’s Outfit
- The Style of Steal
- The Look of the Con
- Original Ocean’s, Original Cool
Ocean’s Twelve
- Commentary by Steven Soderbergh and George Nolfi
- Ready, Jet Set, Go: The Making of Ocean’s Twelve
- HBO First Look: Twelve Is the New Eleven: The Making of Ocean’s Twelve
- Deleted Scenes
Ocean’s Thirteen
- Commentary by Steven Soderbergh, Brian Koppelman and David Levien
- Third’s a Charm: The Making of Ocean’s Thirteen
- Ahab with a Piggyback: The Means & Machines of Ocean’s
- Jerry Weintraub Walk and Talk
- Masters of the Heist
- Deleted Scenes
There is a digital code in the case to redeem and get all 3 films in the set digitally with a nice slipcover to go with it. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t anything new included, but all the same, to have everything in one place is a nice thing.
Summary
The Ocean’s films are ones that for me carry a comfort. I know I can put them on and be on a fun ride for two hours, knowing I’ll be happy and entertained at the end. I am glad that like Contagion before it, Warner Bros. have lovingly remastered the films and have a few ways to collect them too. Well worth the pickup for fans and newcomers alike!
